Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-25

those in authority that the people shall
meet and give thanks to the God OF
Nations. So we are here, and our hum
bic desire is that God shall clotbe MS
with humility and fill us with the spirit
of praise. The speaker said there are
two great purposes in thanksgiving ::
First, the recognition of personal, liv-
ing God. There is a disposition to fo?-
get this, but we should be frequently
reminded of the fact that there is a God,
and that He is the givcr of every good
and perfect gift. Secondly, We should
remember that God has good purpose
in every dealing with us. Unless we
cordially believe that the hand of God IS
q living hand we cannot give thanks.
Gods mercies remembered viii soften
the hardness OF business and the Sc
verify of sorrow and tears. Into our
general Thanksgiving should come in
large measure Pratefulness for our
country, the opening of which We can
see has been a blessing to the world.
From this day of remembrance of oil
our mercies as a people we should come
into a higher, broader idea Of citizen
ship, and prize more than ever liberty
and religion.
The second address was delivered by
DIR. James u. Boycc, president of the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
i'll Louisville, Ky, who in a very natural
and tender manner lifted the hearts Of
the audience into a clearer conception of
thcwisdom and peace OF God in His deal
ing with us. He spoke of that powerful
delineation of Gods character in the
third chapter of Habakkuk. which he
advised his hearers to read. Christianity
has no sympathy with stole philosophy.
1t does not ask us TO yield to cold fate
and bear unmurmuringly what comes TO
us, but reveals loving Father who doeth
all things well. The Doctors friend,
DR.. James Alexander, WAS often de-
pressed, but there was never time
when he conld not say "God IS my eX-
ceeding joy
In concluding the services Rev. DIR.
Hatcher commended the wise and tender
words spoken and led in a most appro-
pirate and comprehensive prayer.
A collection was taken up for the
Baptist Home for Aged Women.
DR.. Cooper in prayer invoked a re-
vival of religion from these Thanks
giving services.
Episcopal.
Service began in St Paul's church at
noon, and Rev. Dr. Minnigerode preached
to a large congregation. The sermon
was appropriate to the occasion, and con-
tanned three points Thanksgiving,
gratitude-frst, a duty second, bless
ing and third, in its result leading to a
holy life
The Doctor showed the duty to be
self-evident, and expatiated on gratitude
as "a blessing in a touching and very
manner. And the last point,
"Thou Shalt Glorify Me-" he made the
basis OF n stirring address, applying it
on the general Thanksgiving Day to the
whole country, and our duty to that in
its various RELATIONSHIP our society, and
to our churches, asleaders in true thank
fulness to God by the exercise Of Chris
tian influence and example, to spread
the truth and service OF God for the
temporal and eternal welfare of all.
ST. johns.
The services at this church were well
attended. The rector, Rev. Lewis w.
Burton, preached from Hebrews xiii, - :
" BY Him, therefore, let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God continually
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks
TO His name" The collection was q
liberal one for the widows and orphans
of deceased clergymen.
According to custom in this church
the services closed with the singing OF
" God Bless Our Native Land.
ST. JAMES.
A large congregation wOrshipped at
St. James chnrch at II o'clock, and the
services were interesting and impressive.
Morning prayer was read by Rev. Pres
ton Nash, assistant rector, and the ser
mon was preached by Rev. DIR. Peter
kin. The speaker chose as his theme
Thanksgiving to God With appro-
priate illustrations and scriptural refer
ences he showed that this was essential
to Christian duty, to Christian advance
ment. and to Christian consistency. The
music was rendered by the excellent
volunteer choir of the church Accord
ing TO custom the offerings on this occa-
sion were devoted to that most worthy
charity the Home for Old Ladies, on
Fourth street.
MONUMENTAL.
At Monumental Episcopal church the
began at II o'clock, Rev. DR.. j..
b. Newton, the rector, officiating. ne
chose as his text the words " Whose OF
fereth Praise Glorifieth Me, and sand
some people consider Thanksgiving Day
only as a day appointed by the civil au-
tborjty. Even if this were so they
shonld he thankful that they lived under
such Government. But, in truth, the
setting apart of such day was a time
bonored custom IN the Christian Church
and had been observed for ages. Fol
lowing the theme of the text tue Doctor
declared that none of our acts could add
ANYTHING to the intrinsic glory of God,
but praise is one of the signs OF faith.
Praise is a higher manifestation OF fa'th
than PRAYER. Praise also shows mans
ocknoNl Nledgment of bis dependence upon
God. Scientists and philosophers, so
called. strive to rule God IN HIS
personality out of the universe.
Snch men know nothing of the God
in our Bible who bound up the sweet IN
dnenccs of the Pleides OF iOosed the
hands of Orion. Give these men a piece
of protoplasm and they make the world
;ndenendent of God. Many hearts IN
fins congregation have been touched
Inv the hand of sorrow during the past
wear. but they have much to be
thankful for. God often hides n smiling
foce behind a cloud. II the world were
sterile waste they would still have
much for which to be grateful. And all
sbould remember the many days that
trouble has been in the houses Of others,
That poverty has strobe around but not
come nigh them. and the good health
tbev have enjoyed while others were
sick.
on from church to-day without resolving
IN the wear to come to walk i'll obedience
before the Lord, to feed tue hungry and
moor. clothe the naked, and put wood on
the hearthstone OF those that have nc
l.